Apple Pay Being Tested In Russia, Planned For Taiwan, Kenya

Three new reports have Apple working to bring Apple Pay to three different territories, with Russia, Kenya and Taiwan said to be edging closer to having the contactless payment solution.

Russian banks have already been testing Apple Pay for a number of weeks in anticipation of the technology going live in the country, according to Vedomosti. A source for the publication has apparently said that the testing has gone well, suggesting that a launch could happen sooner rather than later, though no official word has been given for when users of iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch and Macs in Russia will be able to take advantage of the Apple-branded payment system.

As for Taiwan, DigiTimes reports that the country’s Financial Supervisory Commission is accepting applications from banks and institutions that wish to be able to offer Apple Pay when it does go live. There is no indication that this is going to happen any time soon, with the process still in the early stages of what is required in order to bring Apple Pay to users in Taiwan. Interestingly, however, the Commission has already indicated that only credit cards will be supported at launch.

Amongst those expected to be ready for that time are CTBC Bank, Cathay United Commercial Bank, E.SUN Commercial Bank, and Taishin International Bank.

Bloomberg also reports that Kenya’s largest bank, KCB Group, is in dialog with several different companies regarding digital payments. Apple Pay is not the only game in town, however, with Facebook, Google and Alibaba amongst the possible sources for such a payment system in the country.

Apple Pay replaces cards and cash for those that can take advantage of it, at least at merchants that support it.